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r AUS 51981 806K 4 7 FA, GE - ADMINISTRATOR NELSON THEN READ THE BIOLOGICAL REPORT INTO - THE RECORD AS REQUIRED BY THE D.E.R., AS FOLLOWS: For Routing To District Offices t State of Florida AndiOr To Other Than The Addreawe DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION To: Loctn.: To: Loctn.:.._ INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Loctn.:�_ ---- -- From: — Date: ST. JOIiNS RIVER DISTRICT TO: File THROUGH: Walt Wheeler ,j'� lf/ THROUGH: Wilbert Holliday�� - FROM: Reese Kessler`" DATE: June 26, 1981 SUBJECT: R. S. Reeves 31-36462-4E, Indian River County --D/F The applicant proposes to.construct 320 feet of coquina and coral -bulkhead along the east shore of the Indian River at Wabasso. The bulkhead (after -the -fact) extends an average of 5 feet offshore of mangrove and an abrupt bank. No fill has been deposited behind the bulkhead. Five foot wide openings, every 100 feet are proposed to restore better tidal influence. - This section of the Indian River (south of Wabasso Bridge) is Class II waters and includes the Intracoastal Waterway. The Intracoastal Water- way is particularly close to the river's east shore and as such has caused serious problems with the maintenance of Jungle -Trail (a dirt road paralleling the river). Large stands of mangrove vegetate the general shoreline, however, open beaches and areas vegetated by exotics are constant -erosion points. The subject site is a narrow strip of upland between Jungle Trail and the river. Australian Pines dominate the land to the river shore. Several black mangrove (only a few years old or dwarfed because of the presence of -pines) are scattered along the river bank. The appli- cant has planted a few'clumps of smooth cordgrass'(Spartina alterniflora) in front of the mangrove. Erosion around the pine roots is evident. Between the bank (and mangrove) and the subject bulkhead, river bottoms are less than 6 inches deep, consisting of sand and are inhabited by - marine -crustaceans. Water movement is restricted to small weep holes through the bulkhead and an opening at the bulkhead's south end. The north•end was open, however, the littoral drift of sand has caused a bar to close.this opening. The proposed after -the -fact bulkhead has partially severed tidal influ- ence over nearshore river bottoms. Erosion is a potential hazard to the -upland property. Protection to the upland and restoration of tidal action can be provided with this plan. The bulkhead will serve as a breakwater, thereby dissipating water energy. Australian Pines are poor shoreline stabilizers, therefore, removal of the trees and refores- tation with native vegetation is suggested. This shading effect of the pines will greatly reduce the success of any understory vegetation. 100